HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Manager Mar. 2026
City of Port Townsend Job Description
Finance Manager
Classification title: Finance Manager Working title: Finance Manager
Department: Finance Union: No
FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: 623
Hours: Full Time Effective date: Aug. 2023; Feb. 2025; Mar.
2026
Reports to: Finance & Technology
Services Director
Civil Service: No
JOB SUMMARY
Performs several skilled and complex financial, accounting, and supervisory tasks, including
coordination of the annual budget. Supervises day-to-day operations of the financial services and front
counter public experience functions of the Finance Department. Supports Finance and Technology
Services Director with City treasury duties including investments, banking, and debt administration.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Supervises the day-to-day operations of the financial services and front counter public experience
functions of the Finance Department. Motivates and communicates clearly to create a collaborative
team. Monitors workflow and assignments and provides technical support for Finance and public
experience positions which may include Payroll, Accounts Payable/Purchasing, Accounts
Receivable, Business Licenses/B&O Taxes, Utility Billing, Customer Service (Public Experience
Liaisons), and Project Accounting.
• Assists the Finance & Technology Services Director with the coordination and preparation of the
annual budget. Maintains budgeting software and supporting schedules, as directed.
• Supports the Finance & Technology Services Director with long-term financial forecasting,
investment management and debt administration.
• Prepares short and long-term financial forecasts and estimates to monitor the financial condition of
the City ensuring fiscal sustainability. Assists with revenue and expenditure forecasting based on
current economic trends and historical data. Analyzes and monitors actual operating results for
each department throughout the year comparing to budgets and forecasts.
• Serves as system administrator for the budgeting and financial reporting system. Maintains system
security and assists with software upgrades. Ensures that system internal controls are in place for
all modules.
• Assists with preparation of supplemental budget requests.
• Assists with the reconciliation of the City’s cash balance to the General Ledger. Prepares and posts
journal entries as needed.
• Analyzes and monitors the City’s annual operating and capital budgets, providing monthly financial
performance and status reports.
• Analyzes submittals from departments for budget conformance.
Finance Manager
• Assesses fiscal impacts of alternative budget policies; new federal, state and local legislation; and
administrative actions. Advises staff of those findings.
• Analyzes and monitors short- and long-term trends of revenues and expenditures to determine
potential issues or opportunities facing City operations.
• Provides financial data and analysis upon special request from departments on current and
proposed projects and programs.
• Supervises preparation of loan accounting reports and/or bond proceed reports; processes journal
entries to transfer funds for capital projects.
• Assists in preparing presentations for City Council meetings, annual budget workshops and
Committee and advisory board meetings as needed.
• Prepares daily bank and general ledger account reconciliations using established procedures within
communicated deadlines. Identifies variances and coordinates corrective action with departments
or finance staff if needed.
• Analyzes and maintains the City’s equipment rental & replacement program adhering to policies.
• Organizes and accomplishes various assigned financial projects within established deadlines by
performing complex financial analysis.
• Coordinates the preparation of the City’s Annual Financial Report, which may include compiling
financial statements, notes, and supplemental data as needed. Provides final draft report to the
Finance & Technology Services Director for review prior to the State Auditor’s Office required
submission date.
• Supports the Finance & Technology Services Director in preparation of audit workpapers and
schedules prior to the audit fieldwork. Provides hands-on support during audit fieldwork to ensure
that audit work is completed accurately and timely.
• Responsible for assisting the Finance & Technology Services Director with ensuring the integrity of
the City’s financial records. The Finance Manager has a duty to report any anomalies, concerns, or
financial discrepancies to the Finance & Technology Services Director and/or the City Manager in a
timely manner so any issues can be researched and resolved.
• Prepares special reports and analyses as requested by the Finance & Technology Services
Director or City Manager.
• Oversees project reporting for capital projects. Ensures project reports are routinely reconciled to
the General Ledger.
• Oversees grant reporting and compliance.
• Processes journal entries to transfer funds for Capital Projects.
• Develops and maintains financial reports.
• Recommends changes in work methods, policies, and procedures to improve financial reporting,
levels of service, and operating efficiency.
• May act as Finance & Technology Services Director’s designee during absence.
• Leads, mentors, and develops staff. Oversees individual and group performance and development.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Finance Accounting Standards
Board (FASB), and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) standards, recommended
practices and policies, and rules and regulatory reporting requirements.
Finance Manager
• Knowledge of State of Washington Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System.
• Knowledge of financial analysis and projection techniques.
• Knowledge of Federal and State tax regulations.
• Knowledge to provide advice and technical assistance in the preparation of department annual
budgets.
• Knowledge to employ cost-benefit analysis to review financial requests, assess program trade-offs,
and explore alternative funding methods.
•
• Skilled in communicating and presenting complex financial and/or policy information to audiences of
various backgrounds and levels of sophistication.
• Skilled in developing public communication plans, programs and campaigns, including the
production of support materials.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people
• Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, managers, and other
departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions,
provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues.
• Ability to examine past and current department budgets and research economic and financial
developments that affect the department's spending and revenue generation. Ability to conduct
research and perform analysis on a variety of program issues.
• Ability to independently analyze a wide array of data and make sound, reasonable judgments and
recommendations.
• Ability to prepare accurate and concise written material.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, peers, City
leadership, community groups, customers, and other agencies.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and\or confidential information.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the internal and external customers.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges,
or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness
•
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration or closely related field, plus five
or more years of professional level accounting experience and at least two years’ experience in a
supervisory capacity, or a combination of education, skills, and relevant experience to adequately
meet the requirements of the position.
• Advanced knowledge of computerized accounting systems, spreadsheet, and presentation software
required.
Preferred
• Experience in governmental or fund accounting.
• Knowledge of municipal budgeting practices and principles and rate setting processes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills working with multiple peer groups and levels of
management.
Finance Manager
WORKING CONDITIONS
Duties are performed primarily in an office environment with sitting for long periods of time, utilizing
standard office equipment and personal computer. The noise level in the work environment is usually
moderately quiet. May be required to deal with upset customers. This position typically requires
movement around the office, reaching, pushing, grasping, finger dexterity, hearing, seeing and
repetitive motions. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force
frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains,
promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job-
related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied
without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation
(including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information,
or any other characteristic protected by law.
This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee
occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any
other job-related duties requested by their supervisors.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the
employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.